Liverpool in the dark after allegation that Champions League victory over Debrecen was rigged as part of match-fixing scandal

Liverpool today said they have had no contact from Europol or any other body in connection with match-fixing allegations surrounding their 2009 Champions League match against Debrecen.

The European law enforcement agency said one Champions League match played in England is under investigation.

According to Danish newspaper Ekstra Bladet, Europol is looking at Hungarian side Debrecen who lost 1-0 to Liverpool at Anfield in 2009.

Debrecen confirmed on Tuesday night that the match had been part of a previous match-fixing investigation.

Narrow win: Dirk Kuyt scored the only goal of the match in 2009

Was this the game?

If Debrecen goalkeeper Vukasin Poleksic was paid to ensure there were more than two goals in the game at Anfield on September 17 2009, he did not do a very good job.

Poleksic did palm a Fernando Torres shot into the path of Dirk Kuyt for the one goal which was scored, just before half-time.

But even though Liverpool had a poor night in front of goal — they had just put three past Bolton and four past Burnley respectively — the keeper had plenty of other opportunities to concede if he had wanted to as Liverpool had seven shots on target in all.

Steven Gerrard hit the bar, but by the closing 15 minutes Poleksic had little to do as then Reds manager Rafa Benitez was making defensive changes to hold on to the lead.

Ralph Ellis

There is no suggestion that anyone at Liverpool was involved in any wrongdoing.

A statement on Debrecen's website said: 'The [UEFA] disciplinary committee's position was that Vukasin Poleksic neglected his obligations when he didn't report in time that, before two international matches of DVSC, unknown persons attempted to persuade him to influence the outcome of the matches.

'The two matches were the away game against Liverpool and the home encounter with Fiorentina.'

'Neither DVSC nor the player wish to react further, all the more so as all the information has been released about this affair during the summer of 2010.'

Vukasin Poleksic, the Debrecen goalkeeper that night, was banned for two years in 2010 by UEFA for failing to report match-fixing activities involving a different game.

A Liverpool spokesman said: 'We have had no contact from Europol or any other organisation over this.'

Europol has not revealed which Champions League match in England is under investigation but that it took place 'in the last three to four years' and is one of 380 games being studied.

However it emerged also yesterday neither the Football Association nor UEFA were aware of any such probe.

A spokesman for the FA said: 'The FA are not aware of any credible reports into suspicious Champions League fixtures in England, nor has any information been shared with us.

'While the Champions League comes under
UEFA jurisdiction, The FA, alongside the Premier League, Football League
and Conference, monitor markets for the top seven leagues and three
major cup competitions in England and take matters of integrity in
football extremely seriously.'

Boom: Goalkeeper Vukasin Poleksic sees Dirk Kuyt's shot hit the back of the net in the allegedly rigged match. There is no suggestion Liverpool were involved in any wrongdoing

Rob Wainwright, director of Europol - the European Union’s law enforcement agency, told a news conference that a total of 425 match officials, club officials, players, and serious criminals, from more than 15 countries, are suspected of being involved in attempts to fix matches.

FIFA’s head of security Ralf Mutschke has called for tougher prison sentences for match-fixing.

Mutschke said football could ban perpetrators for life - but that the courts need to crack down harder.

He
said: 'In football, a national association can sanction a member of the
football family if they are found guilty of contravening the legal,
football framework.

'FIFA’s disciplinary code provides the
opportunity to extend those sanctions, and impose a life ban. But for
people outside of football, currently the custodial sentences imposed
are too weak, and offer little to deter someone from getting involved in
match-fixing.'

Ban: CAS upheld a two year ban for Poleksic after he failed to report being approached about match-fixing

Debrecen claim Poleksic was questioned by UEFA in 2010 after he was approached by match fixers ahead of 'two international matches', known to be Liverpool match and the Fiorentina game.

Europol has not revealed which Champions League match in England is under investigation but that it took place "in the last three to four years" and is one of 380 games being studied.

Casting doubt: Games in the Champions League and international matches are among those in question

WHO IS VUKASIN POLEKSIC?

Vukasin Poleksic is the Debrecen keeper who was allegedly paid to ensure Liverpool scored 'more than 2.5 goals' in a Champions League tie at Anfield in 2009.

The Montenegrin, 30, has 23 caps for his country, having won one for Yugoslavia in 2002.

In 2010 he was banned from football for two years after failing to report an approach by fixers before a Champions League match against Fiorentina in 2009. The Court of Arbitration for Sport upheld the suspension after the keeper appealed.

His ban ended on June 30 last year and he has played for Debrecen this season.

FIFA's head of security Ralf Mutschke has called for tougher prison sentences for match-fixing.

Mutschke said football could ban perpetrators for life - but that the courts need to crack down harder.

He said: 'In football, a national association can sanction a member of the football family if they are found guilty of contravening the legal, football framework.

'FIFA's disciplinary code provides the opportunity to extend those sanctions, and impose a life ban. But for people outside of football, currently the custodial sentences imposed are too weak, and offer little to deter someone from getting involved in match-fixing.'

Meanwhile, Singapore police said it was helping its European counterparts investigate: 'Singapore takes a strong stance against match-fixing and is committed to working with international enforcement agencies to bring down transnational criminal syndicates, including those that involve the acts of Singaporeans overseas, and protect the integrity of the sport,' the police said.